In addition to its regulatory oversight of the franchised cable industry, the Cable Television Division has been given the responsibility to implement activities to promote ubiquitous access to high speed broadband at affordable prices throughout the State.

These activities include developing plans and recommending legislation to expand and accelerate deployment of broadband infrastructure; supporting public-private efforts to develop broadband infrastructure; and working with government agencies, broadband providers, and other stakeholders to advance the provision of broadband services to un-served and underserved areas in the State.

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Measuring Broadband Hawaii

Learn more about the new Measuring Broadband Hawaii project and sign-up in December 2014 and January 2015 for the opportunity to be one of the Hawaii households selected to receive a free FCC/SamKnows broadband measurement device. Click here for more information.

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Broadband Related News and Information

The FCC issued a wide ranging Open Internet (Net Neutrality) ruling today that defies summarizing in a sentence or two. However, that said, the key elements are:- TItle II of the Communictions Act invoked reclassifying broadband Internet service providers (both wired and mobile-wireless) as a telecommunications service. However, 27 provisions and 700+ regulations under Title II will not be applied to broadband services (referred to as Forbearance). A major item is: "The Order forbears from applying utility-style rate regulation, including rate regulation or tariffs, last-mile unbundling, and burdensome administrative filing requirements or accounting standards", - An order that covers both wired and mobile-wireless broadband providers- Bans broadband blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization- New authority to address interconnection concerns

FYI: "Under this commitment, participating wireless providers will unlock your postpaid mobile device upon request, provided the terms and conditions of your service contract or installment plan have been met and your account is in good standing. Participating wireless providers will unlock prepaid mobile devices no later than one year after initial activation, consistent with reasonable time and usage requirements. Participating providers will clearly notify you when your postpaid device is eligible for unlocking if the device is not automatically unlocked. Additionally, your wireless provider will post on its website a clear, concise, and easily found policy on mobile wireless device unlocking."

FCC Chair Wheeler proposing to reclassify broadband access under Title II. The proposal will be voted on during the Feb. 26 open meeting.

"The Chairman’s proposal provides the strongest legal foundation for the Open Internet rules by relying on multiple sources of authority: Title II of the Communications Act and Section 706 of theTelecommunications Act of 1996. In doing so, the proposal provides the broad legal certainty required for rules guaranteeing an open Internet, while refraining (or “forbearing”) from enforcing provisions of Title II that are not relevant to modern broadband service. Together Title II and Section 706 support clear rules of the road, providing the certainty needed for innovators and investors, and the competitive choices and freedom demanded by consumers."

The FCC completed the auction of Advanced Wireless Service licenses in the 1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz bands (collectively, the “AWS-3” bands) on Jan. 29. The merged screenshot collects information from two sections of the "winning bids" list to show the licenses in the Hawaii.

The FCC today redefined the benchmark speeds for broadband up from 4 Mbps down/1 Mbps up to 25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up.

"Broadband deployment in the United States – especially in rural areas – is failing to keep pace with today’s advanced, high-quality voice, data, graphics and video offerings, according to the 2015 Broadband Progress Report adopted today by the Federal Communications Commission. Reflecting advances in technology, market offerings by broadband providers and consumer demand, the FCC updated its broadband benchmark speeds to 25 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads."